The Norris Traverse, Glacier National Park, with Matt and Al

A view of Red Eagle Pass just out of camp on Day 3, gaining the Continental Divide. Matt is just visible on the near horizon.

One of the great things about getting older are the friendships that continue to deepen with time. Of course, the deepening requires time together. In the case of Al Parker and Matt Roscoe, we meet for memorable adventures. I had made separate plans with Al and Matt at the beginning of summer to get together in August. We all decided to combine those plans and have Matt take us on the Norris Traverse, which is an off trail route in Glacier. Matt had done the route twice before, so we were in good hands. The off trail portion of the route connects Gunsight Lake and Triple Divide Pass. It is strenuous and slow going, with challenging route finding and class 3 climbing with full packs on. It definitely isn't for the feint of heart, nor for those unprepared for navigating cross country, off trail, with difficult route finding in spots. It's a route suitable for a select few, a description of which can be found in A.G. Edwards, Climbers Guide to Glacier National Park. It was a magical three-night trip, with great weather, incredible scenery, and excellent company in Matt and Al. I hope to go back again to climb some of the amazing peaks we saw along the way: Mount Jackson, Blackfoot Mountain, Mount Logan, the Citadel, and Split Mountain. 

Al at Gunsight Lake.

Matt at Gunsight Lake.

Discussing whether or not to climb Mt. Jackson or keep going to Almost-a-Dog Pass, near Mount Logan in the upper left of the photo. We opted to continue on, which was a good decision.

Matt Roscoe and Al Parker.

The outflow from Jackson Glacier -- cool spot.

And again.

This section was probably the worst bushwacking of the trip. Mount Jackson in the background.

Looking back toward Mt. Jackson from the traverse of the Jackson Glacier basin.

More of the Jackson Glacier basin traverse. Mount Logan in the background.

Hiking slabs toward the end of the day, below Mount Logan.

Albert Parker III.

Beautiful off trail walking.

Hiking the crest of a moraine near the end of the first day.

Near camp, night 1.

Matt and the Citadel.

Blackfoot Mountain, Matt, and Mount Jackson.

The Citadel on the morning of Day 2.

Looking back over the Jackson Glacier Basin on the morning of Day 2.

Al on Almost-Dog-Pass. Mount Logan behind him.

Almost-a-Dog Pass with Mount Jacson (right) and Blackfoot Mountain (left)

Hiking out toward Almost-a-Dog Mountain

A shot of Matt above the descent chimney on the east cliffs of Almost-a-Dog Pass. This is the crux of the route and it's not easy to find. Without the chimney, the route is technical, i.e., requires ropes.

The beautiful Red Eagle Pass. We saw a grizzly in this area about 40 minutes later from above.

Climbing up out of Red Eagle Pass at the end of day 2.

At camp, night 2.

Evening light. Mount Logan, Almost-a-Dog Pass and Almost-a-Dog Mountain on the horizon.

Morning light. Mount Logan, Almost-a-Dog Pass and Almost-a-Dog Mountain on the horizon.

Mighty Mount Stimson on day 3.

Walking the Divide. Mount Logan in the upper-right.

Matt walking the Divide: Split Mountain on the left and Norris Mountain on the right.

Matt looking south.

Al, looking south into the Nyack/Coal Creek Country of Glacier.

Looking back over the class 3 ridge we descended on day 3.

Mr. Parker again.

Steep hiking up the western flank of Norris Mountain.

Matt hiking down from the summit of Norris Mountain.

Hiking out on day 4. Triple Divide peak behind Matt and Al.